Three BSF men, one civilian killed in Odisha Naxal attack

Three Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and a civilian were today killed and six others injured when Naxalities ambushed a patrol of the paramilitary force and triggered a landmine blast in the jungles of this district in Odisha.

The patrol of the 104th battalion of BSF was near its Janbai base in Malkangiri district when Maoists ambushed it with a landmine blast and firing at around 7.30 AM, a senior official said.

"Three personnel, including an Assistant Sub-inspector, Head Constable and Constable have been killed in the ambush while the company commander Assistant Commandant Ashok Kumar is among the six injured," he said.

Officials said a civilian was also killed during the ambush and senior BSF commanders have rushed to the spot.

"The officer, who is injured, has lost an eye. He and others have been admitted to government hospital in Malkangiri," they said.

Fresh reinforcements of the BSF have been rushed in from nearby locations, they said.

BSF is deployed in the area for conducting anti-Naxal operations and the squad, which went on patrol last night, was on a similar task when the ambush happened.